8 Things We Don’t Love About Going to the OB

As excited as you may be about baby’s arrival, we’re willing to bet regular appointments with your OB don’t exactly spark joy—even if you really like your provider.

I’ve been there: Let’s just say I still recall the size of my doctor’s large hands during cervix checks. Ouch. Of course, going to your prenatal visits is important, but it’s not always fun. Below, we empathize about a few of the things you may dread. (The good news: We sometimes build them up in our head to be worse than they actually are!)

Feeling Extra Insecure

It might be the pregnancy hormones—or perhaps just the fact that you’re hanging out with a stranger with your legs splayed open—but something about going to the OB during pregnancy makes many of us feel extra vulnerable and… judged. “Did I gain too much weight?” ”Will my doctor judge me if I tell them what I’m actually eating during pregnancy?” ”Should I have shaved my legs?!” All of these questions might run through your mind—it’s completely normal!

Rest assured, your OB has heard every question in the book, and they’re there to guide you—so don’t censor yourself. And definitely don’t think twice about your unshaven legs–they couldn’t care less (promise!).

That Ice-Cold Speculum

Particularly at the beginning of pregnancy, your doctor may use a speculum to examine you during a pap smear. “Can that bad boy take a bath in some lukewarm water before you insert it in me?,” asks Lolly from California. “I mean, we can’t help the hard part, but we can do something about the cold part!”

To ease your discomfort, you can ask your provider to use a warmer (and smaller) speculum and to coat it with lube. “Some tests can be done without a speculum exam, and patients can instead collect a sample by inserting a swab into their vagina themselves,” points Mary Mittell, CNM, medical director of midwifery at Providence Swedish in the Seattle area.

That Sugary Drink…You Know Which One We Mean

I have a sweet tooth. But the glucose solution for the gestational diabetes test can be downright gag-inducing. After downing the nauseatingly sweet drink, which tastes like fruit punch on steroids, you wait one hour, then have your blood drawn. “Some people can feel nauseated or experience a headache from so much sugar,” says Mittell.

To reduce the unpleasantness, experts say you can ask to drink the beverage cold, as it tastes better that way for a lot of people. Some providers also recommend ordering a version online that’s not as sweet-tasting. Bring along a snack and some water for immediately afterwards to help relieve hunger and nausea.

There may be other workarounds too. “I couldn’t tolerate the glucose drink!” says Lauren Barth, associate content director at The Bump and mom of three. “I tried to get it down fast, but ultimately projectile-vomited orange all over my OB’s office walls. (Sorry!) After all that, I still was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. With my second and third pregnancies, I skipped the drink altogether (with my doctor’s blessing…I wonder why!?) and went straight to checking my blood sugar.”

The Discomfort (and Anxiety!) of Pelvic Ultrasounds

While they’re typically not painful, pregnancy ultrasounds can be uncomfortable and nerve-wracking. For some ultrasounds, you may be asked to come in with a full bladder—only for your technician to plunge a wand around your insides, often pressing against your…bladder. (Groan.) Were it not for the beeping medical machines around you, you might think you were on some kind of strange challenge-based reality show. Oh, and don’t forget that the entire time you’re thinking, Is baby okay? Is baby okay? I hope baby’s okay!

So Many Prenatal Appointments

Many times, you’re either tired or huge—but you still need to schlep to see your doctor. And those waits can feel long, especially when you’re just there for a short visit. (Of course, the minute you go to the bathroom, your name is called!) To make the most of your appointments, make sure to prepare a list of questions for your provider.

…And So Many Tests

Medical tests are inherently nerve-wracking—and doubly so when you want to make sure both you and baby are okay. For many, the 20-week anatomy scan takes the cake when it comes to high-stakes tests, but there are many and they can vary person-to-person.

After my OB practice noticed that my blood pressure was high during my first viable pregnancy, they tested my blood pressure so many times, I eventually developed “white coat syndrome.” To this day, I feel performance anxiety when a nurse straps on a blood pressure cuff.

Those Awkward Cervix Checks

I mean, need we say more?! For some of us, they’re no big deal, but for others they’re totally unbearable. “I couldn’t go through with it,” shares Natalie Gontcharova, senior editor at The Bump and mom of one. “I was sore enough just from pregnancy!” (Hot tip: Experts say these aren’t always necessary, and you can absolutely decline one.)

“That’s Normal!”

Whether it’s because they’ve seen it all or they have many other patients to get to, it’s not unheard of for doctors to dismiss symptoms. “Does anyone’s OB actually check out a symptom they might mention?" asks The Bump community member LauraPCOS. “I’ll go to my OB and mention my feet are super swollen, and instead of checking out my feet and ankles, she’ll automatically reply, ‘Yeah, that’s normal, just put your feet up when you can.’ Then I mention I think I have carpal tunnel in my hands and they’re super swollen, and again her response without looking at them is, ‘Yeah, that’s normal, it’ll go away when you’re no longer pregnant.’” Even if everything is totally normal, many of us would love a bit more explanation and engagement! Make sure you’re getting what you need from your OB, and if you’re not, it’s okay to switch.

But It’s All Worth It

Remember, your doctor is doing the best they can to keep you and baby healthy. So while we complain, we also acknowledge their hard work—and the beautiful reward that comes at the end of all those appointments. Yes, a trip to the OB isn’t always a walk in the park, but it’s definitely worth every potentially uncomfortable moment.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.